AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo
THE PHILIPPINE STAR
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Senator
Dick Gordon is an action man who chooses to be in the front lines.
Thus, it comes as no surprise that while blabber mouths in Malacañang
Palace, Congress and the Senate pontificate from a safe distance — Dick
Gordon was in the heart of the conflict in Mindanao.
Leading
the Red Cross in ministering to the needs of civilians in the
strife-affected areas, Gordon gets that rare opportunity to know the
deepest emotions and thoughts of the people there.
Anyone
who has a say in the furtherance of that conflict should seriously
consider Dick Gordon’s report and set of recommendations that were
submitted to Senate President Manny Villar.
Here are the highlights of Dick Gordon’s August 20, 2007 five-point summary:
"From
what we saw and heard first-hand, we believe that the situation in the
two islands (Basilan and Sulu) can considerably be improved if
peacekeeping efforts are matched by vigorous action to enhance basic
governance — i.e. the projection of government authority and the
provision of basic public and social services. Specifically, we noted
the following:
1. Despite the recent
hostilities in Basilan and Sulu, which have claimed many lives and
injured others, the area is by no means a war zone. The situation is
under control. This is not to minimize the seriousness of the terrorist
threat and the high toll of lives of recent incidents there. But the
fighting has occurred mainly in a few pockets of the two islands where
the campaign against terrorist bands, particularly the Abu Sayyaf, is
being prosecuted.
The focus of complaint and
worry of the local people is not peace and order but the poor provision
of basic services (such as schools, water service and roads), the
payment of salaries to teachers, and support for economic activities
and livelihood.
2. The education situation is
disturbing. Many teachers and government employees in Basilan and Sulu
are complaining of not having received their salaries for as long as
six months and more.
On the bright side, we witnessed some
cheering scenes in the schools we visited. In one school, we joined
Tausug grade school students in singing the national anthem and
reciting the oath of allegiance to the Republic. In another school we
saw grade school students gather and listen to a debate among students
running for election to their student council. Noteworthy also is the
fact that in these schools, the teachers and students go to school in
uniform.
It would be good if government can move fast to build
and repair more schools, provide water facilities in the region and
shore up support for the teachers. There is no lack of desire among the
teachers; they have the passion and willingness to educate, as
exemplified by their continued work despite not receiving their
salaries.
3. In our visit to the Jolo
Integrated Provincial Hospital, we found much to cheer about. Health
care services were available. The place was spotless and very orderly.
In
Basilan, health services and livelihood are inadequate. They do not
lack dedicated and caring people there. But they do need more support
and provisions for their services.
4. On the
economic front, business and commerce go on as usual in both islands.
In the campus of the Jolo Agricultural School, we visited a site that
used to be a dumping ground for bodies. It is now being used for
poultry raising. We found high school and college students bottling
sardines, mangosteen and durian. Everywhere we went, we were being
offered bananas, lanzones and other fruits.
Another move that
could really help the regional economy is for the government to finish
the circumferential road in Isabela City in Basilan and other road
projects. This will pave the way for local prosperity because of the
increase in the number of rubber trees and the abundant production of
lanzones.
What I am suggesting here is that we should consider a change in perspective and approach to the area.
5.
After taking everything into account therefore, we believe that the
campaign against terrorism will yield more lasting results if the
military effort is matched by a comprehensive effort to build up the
physical, social and legal infrastructure in Basilan and Sulu, as well
as in ARMM in general. The autonomous region is quite simply the
poorest in the country.
Mindanao, including Sulu and Basilan, is not a war zone. What we face there is a battle for hearts and minds."
* * *
Gordon
provides a holistic approach that is backed by a thorough understanding
of the problem. Gordon even sees the potential of Basilan and Sulu as
tourist destinations — an idea the regime quickly grabbed and mouthed
without as much as crediting Gordon for conceiving it.
The
Mindanao problem is made worse by the emotional hysteria and military
adventurism of people who do not understand the scope and seriousness
of the issues surrounding the Muslim secessionist movement.
Many
Filipinos delude themselves into thinking that the AFP (Armed Forces of
the Philippines) — poorly equipped, greatly divided and deeply
demoralized — has what it takes to quell the Muslim rebellion. They
forget that even the US and Spain had failed miserably in crushing
Muslim insurgency in Mindanao.
A similar scenario plays out in
Iraq today. A high-tech, military savvy America is waging an
un-winnable war despite the advantage of fighting in an open desert
terrain.
Our AFP is far from being high-tech and Mindanao is
not an open desert. Its jungles and mountainous terrain provide ideal
cover for insurgents who can so easily draw sympathy from fellow
Muslims who had long suffered from neglect.
* * *
Chair Wrecker e-mail and website: macesposo@yahoo.com and www.chair wrecker.com
